Lusibaea’s remission granted

By Andrew Fanasia Jr
In Association with Islands Sun Newspaper
Honiara, Solomon Islands

Two years and nine month imprison Member of Parliament for North Malaita who was release on license on the 14th of this month has been granted remission to one month one day.

These came after the Minister for Police and National Security granted a 95 percent remission after his release.

Speaker of the Parliament Sir Allan Kemakeza explained in a statement that the Minister granted the Mr Lusibaea further remission through powers vested on him under Section 38 of the Correctional Service Act and Regulation 198 of the Correctional Service Regulation.

He stated that the Correctional Service Act defines effective sentence as the term of imposed by the High Court, granted to every prisoner is to serve after taking into account remission granted under the Act.

Sir Allan said “this is in addition to a one third remission to the sentence imposed by the High Court, granted to every prisoner under section 37 of the Correctional Services act.”

He further explained that the Correctional Service Act defines effective sentence as the term of imprisonment that a prisoner is to serve after taking into account remission granted under the Act.

“Therefore it is this effective sentence of one month one day that Mr Lusibaea was released on licence to serve outside prison,” Sir Allan explained.

He added that Mr Lusibaea is free to perform functions and responsibilities as a Parliament member as the sentence is less than 6 months.

Meanwhile, Sir Allan stated that, the Police Minister exercised his powers under relevant laws and that he (Sir Allan) as the Speaker does not have the legal mandate to decide otherwise.

However, on the question of whether the Minister had exercised his discretionary power in a lawful manner.

“This is for the courts to decide and that only the courts have jurisdiction to make a decision on such matter,” Sir Allan said.